In a speech that offers insights into the Revolutionary Guards’ perception of their role in Iran’s attempts to expand its regional power, IRGC deputy commander BG Hossain Salami has said that “the secret soldiers of the Revolution” and their branches in Lebanon and Gaza have brought about “historical failures” for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

Salami said that prior to the revolution the “Zionist regime” — a term Iran uses instead of Israel — were able to easily contend with Arab countries.

However, Salami added that after the Islamic Revolution [of 1979], the hidden forces and their branches in Lebanon and Gaza caused “historical failures” for the IDF and “disbanded” Western forces.